The following prayer points are in a secure format to protect missionaries in sensitive locations. This means that some names have been removed, so they are best read in conjunction with the CMS Prayer Diary which is available from your local branch.
November 2019 Prayer Points
Friday 1 – Argentina
Martin & Julie Field pray for ongoing enthusiasm for sharing the gospel on campus, even as the academic year ends. Peter & Terry Blowes pray for the process of restoration and reconstruction in the national movement of ABUA. Amy Stephens prays for God to work in and through her in daily life.
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Saturday 2 – Mexico, Bolivia & Peru
Peter & Sarah Sholl pray for Sarah’s Bible study group as they work through John’s Gospel. Several new ladies have joined recently. Adrian & Anita Lovell give thanks for the opportunity to teach ECAMM missionaries-in-training this month. Nick & Kysha Davies pray for the MOCLAM team meeting in Chile, as they plan for the upcoming years and encourage one another in person. Grahame & Patty Scarratt pray that many people would cover the ministry of Libros Gran Panorama in prayer. Pedro & Joy Oliveira Woolmer pray for their family (especially little Mark) to adjust well to being a family of four.
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Sunday 3 – Chile
Chris & Stef Overhall pray, as the MOCLAM team meet in Santiago, that they will make wise plans. Pray that God will bear much gospel fruit in the Spanish-speaking world through MOCLAM. Michael & Jo Charles praise God for the opportunity Jo has had this year to work with St Stephens, Newtown and for Michael’s job in the graveyard at the church. Pray for them as they begin to prepare for returning to Chile. Gary & Julie Haddon give thanks for how God brings so many diverse people to study in community. Frances Cook prays for God’s protection on CEP, as there are students that have been diagnosed with serious illnesses.
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Monday 4 – Ethiopia, Kenya & Tanzania
Shane & Naomi Rubie pray for peace and comfort as they have ill family members and it is hard to be away from home. Pray they can keep their eyes focussed on Jesus. Roger & Lynn Kay praise God for his faithfulness and love. Maggie Crewes gives thanks for the arrival of the new Ethiopian country director David. Pray for the team as they get to know him. Norm & Janelle Gorrie pray for the handing over of mission and discipleship responsibilities to colleagues as they prepare for leave and Home Assignment.
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Tuesday 5 – Tanzania
Arthur & Tamie Davis pray for new TAFES regional staff, that they would have a clear sense of their roles. Glen & Dominique Turner praise God that their residence permit was granted for another two years. Kevin & Karen Flanagan ask for the Lord’s favour for the long process of renewing their permits. Pray with Judith Calf for the Evangelists’ Refresher Course. Pray that each student will grow in knowledge of God’s word and be encouraged as faithful leaders of their village churches. Mike & Katie Taylor thank God for the opportunities they have had to teach the Bible this semester. Pray that God’s word would bear much fruit in the lives of those who heard. Liz Burns gives thanks for God’s goodness and grace.
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Wednesday 6 – Namibia, South Africa & DR Congo
Mike & Karen Roe pray that this last month of visiting churches will be a blessing for the sake of Christ and his kingdom. Daniel & Olivia Webster pray for wisdom as Olivia studies for her registration exam, and then considers how best to use her physiotherapy skills to serve Namibia. Kylie Zietsch thanks God for a restful and refreshing time in Durban with her friend Nthabi. Nathan & Diane Lovell pray for Nathan as he travels to San Diego to present a paper at the annual Society of Biblical Literature conference. David & Prue Boyd pray for ongoing treatment for Prue’s back condition. Pray for wisdom and good stewardship for the leadership of the Diocese. Graham & Wendy Toulmin give thanks for good medical facilities in Australia. Pray for a full and speedy recovery and a safe return to Aru for Graham. Andrew & Margie Newman give thanks for God’s provision in loyal friends, close family and a growing number of dedicated supporters.
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Thursday 7 – Development & Training
SAH: D & J give thanks for the great privilege of being at SAH and pray for good preparations for their first home assignment. A & A give thanks for good conversations with various partners in Toraja. C & J pray for their Federal Candidate Committee interviews, and for their families as they continue to prepare themselves for C & J’s move overseas. R & S pray for discernment regarding schools for the children in Sydney during deputation and for deployment in 2020. D & C thank God for a wonderful time at SAH, and pray for the support network that they are beginning to assemble. E prays that the last two weeks of SAH and deputation would go well.
Mentac: Pray for a trainee making decisions about ministry next year, having completed his apprenticeship. Pray that all trainees will reflect deeply and thankfully on 2019.
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Friday 8 – South East Asia
finalise all the details in time. I prays for safe travel and good visits where people’s eyes are opened to more of Jesus. J & I pray that the two women who have just completed meeting one-to-one with I will continue taking steps towards knowing Jesus. T & E give thanks for the encouragement of visiting churches. Please ask that their new visa would be ready in early December. J prays for the building of relationships with her students, as she and her colleagues seek to be as professional as possible in delivering lessons. K praises God for his care and concern for herself and their family as they deal with her father’s diagnosis and treatment.
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Saturday 9 – South East Asia
M & L pray for one of their graduates, Z, who is exhausted and struggling with balancing his time between pastoring at a growing church and working a secular job to provide for his family. N & R pray that R’s majority faith students approaching final exams will receive a peace beyond understanding that clearly points to Jesus. S thanks God for the leaders of churches, home churches and Bible colleges who faithfully serve those around them. Na prays that she will have rich and salty conversations with her students. Ne thanks God for time to meet with other workers from her city last month and asks for perseverance with culture and language learning opportunities.
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Sunday 10 – Cambodia
Bethany Vaughan prays for S, as several believers, including herself, seek to share the gospel with him through regular visits to his local business. Wim & Maaike Prins thank God for Wim’s upcoming surgery appointment and pray for bold and sensitive Christian witness of Christ’s victory over hell and its powers. Craig & Samantha McCorkindale pray for good goodbyes as they return to Australia this month for their first home assignment. Dave & Leoni Painter pray for the commencement of the new academic year at PPBS, especially for the new intake. Andrew & Liz Glover pray that they would continue to lean heavily on God for wisdom and direction.
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Monday 11 – Indonesia, Singapore & Timor-Leste
Alan & Helen Wood pray for logistics in setting up a residence for their new Assistant Minister arriving next month. Pray for R as he settles into a new location and new routine, that he will continue to have many opportunities to have encouraging conversations with local people. J & D pray for unity and humility for the Langham Indonesia team as they do a major revision of their teaching material. Marty & Jenny Foord pray that as the ETCAsia students prepare for their final exams, that they would be deeply enriched by studying God’s word, rather than feeling anxious about exam results. Chris & Grace Adams praise God for the birth of the new addition to their family. Pray as they adjust as a family. N & R give thanks for the privilege of being officially commissioned by loving brothers and sisters in Christ.
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Tuesday 12 – North Australia
Chris & Karen Webb ask God to bless the Aboriginal Christian leadership training weekend in Yiyili community. Matt & Lisa Pearson thank God for Grant, a man from church who is seeking to teach the children in his family about God. Pray for Tavis & Kate Beer as they plan for next year: for wisdom, courage, and love as they serve God in the Northern Territory. Derek & Rosemary Snibson pray for safe travelling and good communication with church leaders as they and others go to Groote Eylandt and Numbulwar for Safe Ministry Workshops. Wayne Oldfield & Mandy Jones pray for the Cert 1 and Cert 2 Foundation Studies graduation on 15 November. Ian & Jenny Wood praise God for an encouraging time with Merrylands West and Ginninderra churches and the beginnings of gospel partnership.
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Wednesday 13 – North Australia, PNG & Vanuatu
Matt & Kate Vinicombe pray that they would be able to learn to tell a Bible story (the calming of the storm) in Anindilyakwa by the end of the year. Keith & Marion Birchley pray that they can increase their Tok Pisin language skills. Joel & Tiffanie Atwood thank God for the wonderful works of mercy they’ve seen this year on campus, and pray for a smooth transition for the family back to Australia for Home Assignment.
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Thursday 14 – UAE & Jordan
K gives thanks for new Japanese contacts coming to English classes. J & D pray for more 2:42 leaders to be trained to multiply their ministry. W & C give thanks for the visit of D and J to help train church members in pastoral care. Malcolm & Charissa pray that the annual Synod will be an encouragement and make wise and godly decisions. M & O pray that they would fix their eyes on Jesus amidst their final deputation commitments and their preparation to move.
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Friday 15 – Middle East
J prays for the churches in her part of the Middle East, that, in the face of some recent restrictions, they would grow in boldness and not shrink back. L praises God for the privilege of living on location for nearly three years. Pray that she will be bold in her witness. S & P pray for discernment in which ministry opportunities to take up and how best to spend their time. L & I pray for good relationships with multicultural neighbours and good church connections.
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Saturday 16 – Middle East
S & C pray for a deepening of relationships between the faculty at the college and the students. Pray for good opportunities to disciple the students during their studies. M prays for a meditation group with two friends from the majority background. Praise God that they enjoy meditating on the Bible and are keen to keep talking about Jesus when they meet. C prays Colossians 1:9-14 for herself and local believers, and asks that their neighbours and friends would know Jesus as more than a prophet. B prays that the local church and Christian-background Arabs will be transformed by the gospel in mind and heart.
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Sunday 17 – Nepal
K & M L give thanks for God’s sustaining grace in their lives. I & R pray that, as a homeroom teacher, R will be able to encourage her students to know God better. D & E pray for courage for the church in the face of increased uncertainties. J prays for God to reveal himself to those who do not yet know him.
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Monday 18 – Nepal & Pakistan
K (& B) pray for their time with a visiting therapy team who are supporting their work with patients needing physical rehab. B & L give thanks that the visa situation is looking stable for the rest of this academic year with both of L’s colleagues receiving their work visas. G & R give thanks for two effective palliative care trainings last month, and pray for R’s lectures to nursing students to go well. L & T pray for G as she seeks to develop more local leaders and hand over some of her responsibilities. S prays that she can continue to build meaningful relationships with people in her local area, pointing them to God. D & S pray for S’s ongoing relationship with F, and thank God for their great conversations about their beliefs. Pray for D as he preaches, that he will proclaim God’s word faithfully.
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Tuesday 19 – South Asia
E prays for a suitable house to rent, that may provide new opportunities for relationships with neighbours. S (& T) give thanks for how God has sustained Aram house and brought many people to come and rest. K prays for endurance and health to keep on studying the local language. L gives thanks for the annual spiritual life conference. Pray that all workers who attend will be spurred on to ministry in the nation where they serve. M & K pray for developing relationships, for wisdom as they learn and go about daily life activities, and for healthy patterns as they settle into routine in a new permanent home town. S & I pray that they would be able to communicate well with their link churches in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie this month. Pray for the commissioning service of A. Praise God for the faithful servants who have agreed to partner with her in the gospel.
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Wednesday 20 – CMS Australia
Pray for the staff of CMS Australia. Pray that they would be encouraged to serve the missionaries of CMS pastorally, prayerfully and practically. Pray that they can create a workplace culture that is built on Christlikeness and that demonstrates a joy in the work of making the gospel known.
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Thursday 21 – France
Give thanks for the GBU as it continues to shine the light of Jesus in France, and pray for Caroline Evenden as she arrives back in Australia and begins final Home Assignment. Daniel & Kate Morris pray for several people who have joined their church, that the church would continue to welcome them and care for them. Josh & Susannah Apieczonek pray for good follow-up from a Muslim-Christian Forum Debate on 19 November. Colin & Catherine Puffet pray for wisdom in family relationships by distance. Kelly Landrigan prays for their Christmas service, that F and her son A, from a Catholic background, may be gripped by the gospel message. M prays for her team as they transition to a new leader. Pray that they would all have many opportunities to share with neighbours and friends.
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Friday 22 – Italy, Ireland & Malta
Pray for Simon & Jessica Cowell as they begin Home Assignment, for times of mutual encouragement and joy with family and supporters. Gillian Law prays for the six GBU student leaders in the three public universities in Rome, that they will grow in their love of Christ and trust in his gospel. Naomi Brunacci prays for her students in Venice as they invite their friends to join in studying God’s word. Erin Moorcroft prays for St John’s church, as this month they start their first Sunday School. Pray that this ministry would flourish and bring glory to God. Geoff & Robyn pray for people at university and church to be trained and serve in various ministries.
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Saturday 23 – Austria, Germany & Slovenia
Rob & Arabelle Horne pray for final home assignment, including thanking supporters, transition to new life as a family and finding schools, work, and a church in Canberra. Please pray with Rachel Gibbs for ÖSM groups in Linz, Wels and St. Pölten, that more students would join the mission to make Jesus known on campus. Mimy Gardner praises God that E’s cautious father is now allowing her to go to youth group. Pray that lots of fruitful connections will come from the kids’ bilingual gingerbread house event. Klaus & Jude Hickel pray that the family gingerbread house events on the weekend, run with a Torchbearers’ team, would awaken interest in the real Jesus of the Bible. Pray with Kingsley & Veronica Box for Christian students in Slovenia to invite their friends to Bible study groups.
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Sunday 24 – Spain & Eurasia
Pray with Jim & Tanja French and the rest of the missionary team in Valencia, along with their church and MOCLAM, as they say goodbye to the Lovells. Pray for emotional, physical and spiritual strength for all in this transition period. Mike & Tania Snowdon thank God for a great time of encouragement with all their link churches and pray their commissioning service will be a great reminder to keep lifting their eyes to Jesus. John & Jodi Lovell give thanks for the privilege of serving in Spain and pray that God will sustain them as they seek to say good goodbyes. Pray for R’s colleagues to be drawn to Jesus. Miriam Bradshaw prays for final visits to new link churches, that they would be excited for Jesus-centred partnership through her ministry in Spain.
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Monday 25 – Hong Kong, Taiwan & East Asia
Ian & Narelle Hadfield thank God for CMS and their pastoral care of members on the field. Sam & Shan-Shan Chrisp pray they can keep building relationships in their community, especially with the mum who runs their favourite Snowflake Ice shop. S & K thank God for safe returns and generous provisions of house, school and job. Pray that God’s power would be perfected in their weakness. L thanks God for recent breaks and the opportunity to rest and catch up with friends.
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Tuesday 26 – East Asia
D & T pray for God’s peace as they continue to care for D’s ill family member. E prays for God to give her the words needed to share the hope of Jesus with local friends. D & L pray for the men who meet on Tuesday night to be transformed by the Bible. L & J pray for a Zambian and a Kenyan student who are equipping their campus small groups to actively share the love of Jesus with their friends.
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Wednesday 27 – Japan
Adam & Helane Ramsay pray for the Church Planting conference they’re attending, for learning and networking. Pray with Steven & Sandra Parsons that all those who are preparing for Christmas activities throughout the country will have the wisdom and cultural insight to present the wonder of Christ in the most effective way possible for Japanese people. Roger & Noriko Dethlefs thank God for closer friendships formed with KGK leaders during the Leaders’ Retreat, and with the Eifuku Minami congregation during the Church Retreat. Nathan & Maki Clapham pray for students as they organise events for Christmas. Chenny Thie prays for preparation for home assignment. Matt & Jen Lim praise God for the opportunity to develop friendships with other mums from youchien. Pray they would be able to share with them about Jesus, despite limited language.
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Thursday 28 – Japan
Dene & Rachel Hughes give thanks for regularity in their schedules at this time of year. Pray for health in body and mind in the colder weather. Kellie Nicholas prays for the preparations of many Christmas events, that many people will hear about the Saviour come as a man. Join Brad & Michelle Jackson in praying for Mrs Asa, who recently became a Christian. Pray that God will sustain her through the time of trial she is experiencing and continue to grow her faith. Dave & Beck McIntyre give thanks for the partner churches they visited and the wonderful support they receive from them, and from individual partners. Pray for their Commissioning Service on 30 November.
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Friday 29 – CMS Partners
Give thanks for the many CMS partners who work hard to see God’s kingdom proclaimed in their contexts. Pray that they would be supported well in prayer and giving, and that they would serve faithfully in order to see Jesus known. Give thanks for the opportunity to partner with these godly men and women in this way.
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Saturday 30 – CMS Branches
NSW & ACT Pray for the speakers at CMS Summer School 2020, Simon Manchester, Grishma Parajuli and Tim Swan, as well as the missionaries on Home Assignment. Ask that God’s Spirit will work through them as they prepare to share God’s heart for the world at Summer School. QNNSW Praise God for the recent Toowoomba Conference and pray that the message encouraged those who heard. Pray that the newly elected Council will be wise in their governance for the coming year. SANT Pray for the recruitment of a new Branch Director. Pray that God would raise up an effective leader of godly character, conviction and with the skill-base to lead the branch forward into the future with a pastoral heart. TAS Thank and praise God for this month’s AGM and Mission Lunch, where an increase in missionaries, missionaries in training, supporters, four new link churches and increased giving to the work of global mission was celebrated. VIC Pray for missionaries and their families, as they may be separated this Christmas. Pray for generosity in the Christmas appeal, as the branch seeks to send more workers across cultures in 2020. WA Pray for their missionaries in training, the Junipers, that they would benefit richly from their final month at SAH. Pray for a couple applying for long-term service: May God raise up the necessary church support for them so that their application can be approved.
Former Missionaries Fellowship Praise God for the life of Ian Pearce, who died in Box Hill on 23 September, aged 83. Ian and his late wife Barbara, who died in September 2017, served the Lord in Tanzania 1961-90. He taught Maths and the Christian faith in Dodoma, Kigoma, Tosamaganga (near Iringa) and back in Dodoma. He had a valuable prison ministry, and inspired his students to solve problems mentally, which laid foundations for their higher studies. Ian is survived by their four adopted children, Lucian, Sheila, Jane and Marcus.